A Conflict Resolution policy is certainly helpful to…, well, ummm…resolve conflicts! This is an agreed upon process or procedure by which disagreements and conflict will be remedied. The end result will certainly not make everyone happy in every situation, but the fact that key stakeholders discussed the process ahead of time should help make anyone that might feel jilted be able to accept the outcome because the policy was created before the conflict arose. After all, they agreed to the process, didn’t they?

Our experience strongly, strongly reveals that when policies are created before the actual need arises, that partners and teammates feel more fairness in outcomes. Otherwise, policies developed “on-the-fly”, when things are tense and a conflict is at-hand, may seem arbitrary and personal as opposed to what might be best for the business.

Creating a Conflict Resolution Policy and process ahead of time can work well for the longer-term harmony within your family farm business. This is a part of your management system and communications platform that can be accomplished in a relatively short time period and won’t take all day to figure out. Go ahead, make an investment in your business. If you need a little help getting started, send me an email and I can share some resources with you and your team.